trill
1 of 3noun
ˈtril 
1
a
: the alternation of two musical tones a diatonic second apart
called also shake
b
: vibrato
c
: a rapid reiteration of the same tone especially on a percussion instrument
2
: a sound resembling a musical trill : warble
3
a
: the rapid vibration of one speech organ against another (as of the tip of the tongue against the ridge of bone behind the teeth in the upper jaw)
b
: a speech sound made by a trill
trill
2 of 3verb (1)
trilled; trilling; trills
intransitive verb
: to play or sing with a trill : quaver
transitive verb
: to utter as or with or as if with a trill
trill the r
triller noun
trill
3 of 3verb (2)
trilled; trilling; trills
intransitive verb
1
: to flow in a small stream or in drops : trickle
2
: twirl, revolve
transitive verb
: to cause to flow in a small stream
Synonyms
Verb (1)
- quaver
- warble
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun She pronounces her r's with a trill. the trill of the bird
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Italian trillo probably of imitative origin
Verb (2)
Middle English; akin to Middle Dutch trillen to vibrate, Swedish trilla to roll
First Known Use
Noun
1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb (1)
circa 1667, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Verb (2)
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1
Kids Definition
trill 1 of 2
noun
ˈtril
1
: warble entry 1 sense 1
2
: the rapid vibration of one speech organ against another (as the tongue against the teeth)
She pronounces r's with a trill.
3
: a quick movement back and forth between two musical tones one step apart
trill
2 of 2verb
trilled; trilling
: to utter as or with a trill
trilled
verb
as in warbled
to sing with the alternation of two musical tones a bluebird trilled outside our window Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- warbled
- quavered
- chanted
- chorused
- vocalized
- slurred
- yodeled
- crooned
- carolled
- yodelled
- caroled
- lilted
- trolled
- belted
- harmonized
- descanted
- scatted